Heard my neighbor say chickens don't need heat in winter

I was at the feed store last Saturday and this guy told his friend that chickens are fine down to 20 degrees with no heat lamp at all. My coop has a small heater and I keep it just above freezing, but now I'm wondering if I am babying my birds too much. Has anyone actually lost birds to cold because they skipped the heat?

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jamie645mo ago

Totally feel you on this. I used to crank the heat lamp all winter until a buddy convinced me to try without it one year. Was super nervous at first. Honestly, my birds did fine down to about 10 degrees with a good draft free coop and deep litter method. I have lost a bird to cold once though, but it was a sick one that probably wouldn't have made it anyway. So I'd say if your birds are healthy and your coop isn't a wind tunnel, you might be over doing it with the heater. But better safe than sorry if you're worried.

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lily895mo ago

Totally agree with every word you just said. Ngl, I was the same way with my first flock, heat lamp on blast until I realized they actually prefer the cold over being roasted alive. Honestly, as long as they can get out of the wind and have deep bedding, they'll surprise you with how tough they are.

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